CJP declines use of VIP lounge at Islamabad airport

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa Monday declined the use of the VIP lounge at the Islamabad airport as well as the use of luxury limousine, which takes the VIPs right up to the aircraft.

The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that body search exemption cards for spouses have not been received and spouse of CJP Qazi Faez Isa herself went into cubicle of the ASF and was searched by a lady officer. 

The recording by cameras installed at the airport would confirm this; no exemption sought, nor given.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Shahid Kamboyo, in a letter addressed to Saif Anjum, Secretary Aviation, and Major General Adnan Asif Jah Shad, Director General (DG) Airport Security Force (ASF), submitted that body-search exemption cards for spouses have not been received.

He further informed that while departing from Pakistan on December 16, 2023, Ms Isa herself went into the cubicle of the ASF and was searched by a lady officer.

“Justice Isa was offered, but he declined, the use of the VIP lounge at Islamabad Airport,” says the letter, adding that Justice Isa also declined the use of the luxury limousine, which drives the VIPs right up to the aircraft.

The PRO said in his letter: “Dear Sirs, this is with reference to your letter of 12th October, 2023, which surprisingly found its way to the media immediately after Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his wife left Pakistan for Turkiye during the Supreme Court’s winter vacations.

The SC PRO further submitted that “in the interest of full disclosure. kindly also disclose the Registrar of the Supreme Court’s letter of 21st September, 2023 to correct the misconceptions.”

The body-search exemption rule was not made by the SC nor was exemption sought, the letter read, adding that the Registrar had simply pointed out an anomaly, which was that the spouses of retired Supreme Court judges were exempt from body-search, but those of serving judges were not.

“Your letter, while resolving the anomaly, does not offer an explanation,” says the letter adding that neither the ASF nor the government of Pakistan is concerned about the security breach.

Narrating the facts, the SC PRO pointed out ‘coincidentally’ interesting timing of the letter, written 66 days ago, now coming into the public domain, immediately on Justice Isa’s departure from Pakistan.

(2) Body search exemption cards for spouses have not been received.

(3) Departing from Pakistan, on 16th December, 2023, Mrs. Isa herself went into the cubicle of the ASF and was searched by a lady officer; the recording by cameras installed at the airport will confirm this; no exemption sought, nor given.

(4) Justice Isa was offered, but he declined, the use of the VIP lounge at the Islamabad airport.

(5) Justice Isa also declined the use of the luxury limousine, which drives the VIPs right up to the aircraft.

Similarly, the SC PRO also cited the following letter titled No. Reg. 1/2023/SCP Supreme Court of Pakistan dispatched on Sept 21, 2023 by the SC Registrar to Secretary Ministry of Aviation Islamabad.

“Dear Sir, the airport security cards issued by you exempts from body-search the chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court, retired chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court and wives of the retired chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court, but surprisingly does not exempt the spouses of the serving chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court.

“We look forward to you resolving this anomaly at your earliest convenience. “Yours sincerely, Supreme Court of Pakistan Islamabad.”